Aside from the ridiculously successful Ice Age series, Blue Sky Studios haven’t exactly had the best luck, releasing mediocre film after mediocre film that have each failed to set the box office alight. The latest of which, Epic, fails to alter that cursed streak. Hailing from director Chris Wedge, this FernGully-like animated fantasy-adventure offers very little that hasn’t been seen or done before. Continue reading “Review: Epic (2013)”
Since making his debut as a writer and director in 2007 with the warmly received Shotgun Stories, and following it up with festival darling Take Shelter, Jeff Nichols has become a powerful voice within the independent film world. It’s with Mud though that Nichols has officially arrived, delivering an exceptional coming-of-age drama set against the backdrop of rural Arkansas. Continue reading “Review: Mud (2012)”
Twelve years after the first instalment crashed into cinemas, and the absurdly over-the-top Fast & Furious series is still plumbing new depths in a bid to entertain, dazzle and satisfy its audiences burgeoning expectations. It’s a relief, then, that Fast & Furious 6 matches expectations to earn its place as a worthy, if not better, successor to Fast Five and a preposterously rousing blockbuster on its own merits. Continue reading “Review: Fast & Furious 6 (2013)”
Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby is considered by many to be a literary classic. It’s no wonder, then, that in the time since the novel was published in 1925 it has been adapted for the screen on numerous occasions. The latest of which hails from director Baz Luhrmann and screenwriter Craig Pearce, who’ve created an ambitious – and visually sumptuous – interpretation. Continue reading “Review: The Great Gatsby (2013)”
Pedro Almodóvar, one of Spain’s most internationally acclaimed directors (he’s won two Academy Awards to date), returns to familiar territory with I’m So Excited, his first out-and-out comedy since Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown was released some twenty three years ago. Gone are the somewhat sombre explorations of dark, labyrinthine subjects found within his recent crop of Continue reading “Review: I’m So Excited (2013)”
Without the unstoppable strength and forward momentum of Pixar, Disney have always struggled to break free of their tried and tested formulas – the ever-successful Disney Princess brand being the most obvious – and explore new, contemporary ideas. Wreck-It Ralph, however, which was masterminded and directed by Emmy-winner Rich Moore, sees the studio come crashing into the 21st century with a film that’s as stylish, colourful, sharp-minded and witty as it is bang up-to-date. Continue reading “Review: Wreck-It Ralph (2013)”
The final day in London had arrived. I woke up at nine o’clock, packed and was all checked-out in no time. With my suitcase, laptop bag and satchel I took some last minute pictures of the area I’d spent the last few days calling my “home” (it was actually a lovely area, despite the fact an entire office block full of people had seen me naked and there was always a sense of dread coursing through my body as I walked to and from the tube station) and clambered down the escalators and onto the Northern Line. Continue reading “London Day #6: Weariness, Glasgow Film Festival Launch And My Own Bed”
Upon arriving in London, I found myself in one of the busiest queues I have seen in some time waiting to pick up an Oyster card. Yes, you heard that right. Instead of diving into the nearest Starbucks I came across (and believe me, there were plenty), I decided to grab myself an Oyster card and head straight for my hotel to dump off my stuff and shower off the overlong train journey. (I honestly have no idea why I was so worried about using an Oyster card now. From the minute it Continue reading “London Day #1 (2/2): easyHotel, Soho Delights And Amour”
Writer, producer and director Pedro Almodóvar is arguably the most well-known and well-regarded Spanish filmmaker in the country’s colourful history. With eighteen feature films under his belt, and another currently in post-production, Almodovar has gone from strength to strength in his 30-odd year career, creating films that not only entertain, but also educate and captivate. Continue reading “Six Of The Best: Pedro Almodóvar”
Art curator Harry Dean (Colin Firth) hatches a plan to manipulate his boss, cantankerous billionaire Lionel Shahbandar (Alan Rickman), into acquiring a fake Monet painting. Enlisting the help of rambunctious rodeo queen PJ Puznowski (Cameron Diaz) and talented painter and lifelong friend Major Wingate (Tom Courtenay), Harry’s plan seems foolproof. That is, however, until he starts to develop feelings for PJ, causing his plan to dissever in some unexpected and Continue reading “Review: Gambit (2012)”
Empty Screens 